The Department of Criminology has been established as a separate department under the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Dhaka, on April 13, 2012. Sociologist Professor Dr. Zia Rahman joined as the founder chair of the department on November 24, 2013. The department has started its journey concentrating on studying crime, criminal behavior, criminal activities, causes of crime, social control and crime prevention mechanism, criminal justice system etc. in a systematic manner articulating diversified theoretical and practical approaches. At present, the department has seven faculty members having background in Sociology, Law, Criminology, Anthropology and Journalism. The department offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in Criminology. At present, there are 150 students in three undergraduate batches while the Masters program has 65 students. The department seeks to develop collaboration with universities around the world in terms of enhancing teaching, research and trainings for the students and faculties of the department. Currently, the department has two ongoing research projects sponsored by Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the World Bank under the HEQEP Project.